Aerial bomb



Dec. 7, 1943.

S. W. FlRTH AERIAL BOMB Filed Oct. 9. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor Dc. 7, 1943. s. w. FIRTH 2,335,927

AERIAL BOMB v Filed Oct. 9, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 17111871 for meys Patented Dec. 7, 1943 AERIAL BOMB v stephen w. Firth, webb city, M6. Application October 9, 1942, Serial No. 461,461 l 2 Claims.

' The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in aerial bombs, andhas for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device ofl this character which, when it explodes, will be highly destructive over a large area.

' Another very important object of theinvention is to provide an aerial bomb of the aforementioned character comprising novel ring means.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an aerial bomb of the character described Which will be comparatively simple in construction, compact, and which may be produced at a low cost.

All of the foregoing Aand still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section through an aerial bomb constructed in acocrdance with the present invention. v

Figure 2 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially onithe line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail view in section through one of the secondary bombs or grenades.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a. substantially ovate-lanceolate shell I of suitable metal. The upper portion ofthe shell I is provided with a spaced, inner wall 2 which provides a chamber 3 for the reception of a high powered explosive.

The upper portion of the shell I is further provided with external intersecting grooves 4 defining sections 5 constituting fragments when the bomb explodes. Each of the sections 5 has formed therein a threaded opening 6 which communicates with the explosive chamber 3. The openings 6 are for the reception of threaded necks 1 which project from comparatively small secondary bombs or grenades 8. Thus, a grenade 8 is provided on each of the fragment sections 5. In the embodiment shown, fuses 9 from the grenades 8 extend into the explosive chamber 3 for ignition thereby.

Splined in the shell I and extending vertically therethrough is a slidable rod I0. A contact head II 'is provided on the lower end of the rod III for engagement with the ground or whatever the bomb may strike when it descends. Stabilizing ns I2 are provided on the upper end portion of the rod I0, said ns being curved in a manner to rotate the bomb as it falls through the air. Astop collar I3 on the rod I Il adjacent the stabilizing iins I2 is engageable with the upper end of the shell I.

Also xed on the rod I0, in the upper portion of the shell I, is a conical collar I4. Rising from the collar It' are pins I5v which are engageable with igniting elements I'6 in the upper portion of the wall 2. Of course, the igniting elements I6 re the charge in the chamber 3.

A coil spring I'l yieldingly urges the pins I5 away from the elements IB.

It is thought that the operation of the bomb will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Of course, the bombis dropped from an aircraft. As the bomb falls through the air, it is stabilized and rotated by the iins I2. Upon contact, the rod IU is forced upwardly against the tension of the coil spring I1 thereby causing the pins I5 to strike the firing elements I6 for igniting the exposive in the chamber 3. Of course, when the explosion occurs, the shell I is blown to pieces, particularly the upper portion thereof. The sections 5 with the grenades 8 thereon are scattered over a large area where they explode, the fuses 9 having been ignited by theexploding charge in the chamber 3. Pivotally mounted at I8 on the lower portion of the shell I is a pair of complemental collar segments I9 which are adapted to embrace the lower portion of the rod I0 for engagement with the head I0 in a manner to prevent upward movement of said rod and consequent ring of the bomb until said bomb is to be dropped, at which time said collar segments are swung to open position.

It is believed that the many advantages of an aerial bomb constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. An aerial bomb comprising a shell having 4 grooves therein defining separable sections, a spaced inner wall in the shell defining, in conjunction therewith, an explosive chamber, the separable sections of the shell having threaded openings therein communicating with the chamber, grenades mounted on each of the separable sections and including necks threadedly engaged in the openings for mounting said grenades on the shell. means operable by an explosion in the chamber for igniting the grenades, and means for initing a charge in the explosive chamber.

2. An aerial bomb comprising a shell having grooves therein dening separable sections, a spaced inner wall in the shell dening, in conjunction therewith, an explosive chamber, the separable sections oi' the'shell having threaded openings therein communicating with the chamber, grenades mounted-on each ofthe separable sections and including necks threadedly engaged in the openings for` mounting said grenades on the shell. means operable by an explosion in the chamber for igniting the grenades. and means for igniting a charge in the explosive chamber, the last-named means including a rod extending slidablythrough the shell, igniting elements on the wall and extending into the chamber, a collar on the rod, pins on said collar engageable with the tiring elements, and a coil spring engaged with the collar for yieldingly urging the lo firing pins away from the elements.

STEPHEN W. FIRTH. 

